CSD and PolyU Collaborate to Upcycle Food Waste for Sustainable Correctional Development

CSD and PolyU sign MOU to promote upcycling of food waste and development of eco-friendly products

​The Correctional Services Department (CSD) and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today (February 7) to jointly promote the upcycling of food waste and the development of environmentally friendly products, injecting new impetus into the sustainable development of the correctional industry.

The MOU sets out a framework for collaboration between the CSD and PolyU to jointly promote innovative development initiatives over the next five years, including the application of PolyU's scientific research results on food waste upcycling to industrial production in correctional institutions; and the provision of vocational training to persons in custody (PICs) in the design and production of environmentally friendly products by PolyU to enhance their employability. The collaboration not only promotes environmental protection but also assists in the rehabilitation of PICs.

Witnessed by the Deputy Commissioner of Correctional Services (Rehabilitation and Management), Mr Ng Chiu-kok, and the Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, Professor Christopher Chao, the MOU was signed by the Assistant Commissioner of Correctional Services (Rehabilitation), Mr Tong Soen, and the Director of the Research Institute for Future Food, Professor Wong Ka-hing.

Addressing the ceremony, Mr Ng said that the CSD has been committed to introducing green measures in correctional work to build an integrated and sustainable correctional system. The signing of the MOU marks an important milestone in the sustainable development of correctional work. The first phase of the collaboration involves the application of PolyU's patented technology for making 3D printing material with spent coffee grounds to the industrial production work performed by PICs. PolyU will also provide vocational training in product design for PICs to develop more environmentally friendly spent coffee grounds products.

Professor Chao said at the ceremony that PolyU has been tackling social challenges and promoting sustainable development through innovative research and translating research outcomes over the years. The "food waste-derived 3D printing material" patented technology covered in the collaboration project was developed by PolyU's Research Institute for Future Food, which opens up a new way to tackle the problems of municipal food waste and greenhouse gas emissions in Hong Kong. Both parties will work together to create a mutual aid ecosystem, where new economic, ecological, and cultural value can be generated, contributing to the realisation of a cohesive society and sustainable development.

The environmentally friendly spent coffee grounds products will be available for sale on the CSD Sports Association's online charity gift sales platform, Made In Prison, to promote messages of supporting rehabilitation and environmental protection to the public. All proceeds from the sale, after deducting necessary costs, will be donated to various local registered charities, providing PICs with opportunities to contribute to the community.

CSD and PolyU sign MOU to promote upcycling of food waste and development of eco-friendly products Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CSD and PolyU sign MOU to promote upcycling of food waste and development of eco-friendly products Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CSD and PolyU sign MOU to promote upcycling of food waste and development of eco-friendly products Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CSD and PolyU sign MOU to promote upcycling of food waste and development of eco-friendly products Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Applications open for Music Office's music training programme Innovative Music Making: MO x e-Orch

The Music Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, in association with the Education University of Hong Kong, will rerun the music training programme Innovative Music Making: MO x e-Orch from October to July next year. The training programme aims to promote the integration of music and technology on school campuses and targets Primary Four to Primary Six students and Secondary One to Secondary Three students. Interested primary and secondary schools are invited to join the programme.

Two courses are available in this year's music training programme, namely the "e-Orch Music Making" and "e-Orch Training and Co-creative". The "e-Orch Music Making" course welcomes students without any musical background, while the "e-Orch Training and Co-creative" course is targeted at students with required musical qualifications or experience.

Participants from each school will form a digital music orchestra, learn musical knowledge, and collaborate in music creation with the use of tablets. Upon completion of the training, each e-Orch will perform its original work on stage at a public concert to showcase their achievements. In addition, participants of the "e-Orch Training and Co-creative" course will also perform with instrumental ensembles from the Music Office or their own schools in the concert. Various awards and certificates of attendance will be presented to participating students in the concert as encouragement.

Interested schools can download application forms from the Music Office's website (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/mo/activities/schoolprogrammes/arttech/art/25programme.html). Completed forms must be returned to the Music Office on or before June 13 by e-mail (moarttech@lcsd.gov.hk) or by fax (3104 1352). The Music Office will acknowledge schools' applications by e-mail. For enquiries, please call 2158 6467 or 3842 7776.